Discovering Differences

I thought after living in Hungarz for 8 months I would reallz have the hang of things. For the most part I do, but I keep discovering little differences that throw me off!!! I keep finding new things to adapt to in everz area of mz life.

Did you notice all my "misspellings" in the paragraph above?? It's not my fault! Recently, my computer which I brought from America has been having some "technical difficulties." While it is out of order, I have been using the school's laptop which is a Hungarian computer. It looks pretty normal at first glance until you start typing and find that the Z key is where the Y key should be! The exclaimation point isn't in the right spot, and I still have trouble locating the apostrophe key!! I'm sure all my co-workers thought I was a nut when I sent out an email requesting certain art supplies with all my words misspelled! I am thankful to be using this computer, and even more thankful that I figured out how which button to push to switch the computer to type as an American keyboard does :-)

Another difference that has constantly been an obstacle is the time difference. Yes, I knew that I would be night/day opposite the U.S. I have pretty much gotten used to this, and have figured out convenient times to call my loved ones at home. Recently, things have been thrown off due to daylight's savings time. Did you know that Hungary does spring forward until 2 weeks after the U.S. ? It doesn't seem like a big deal until all your phone dates are thrown off an hour! Another thing affected by the time difference is March Madness :-) I have enjoyed watching Kstate play at 2 in the morning!! How can one combat loss of sleep?? Hungarian caffiene!

Radio has been interesting as well. Hungary follows much of the music from the U.S. It is easy to find music in English on the radio. What I have found interesting is that several times when I am listening to the radio (whether in the car or over the loud speaker in a store) a seemingly secular station will play Christian songs!! It has surprised me how they just mix in Christian music. In America, it seemed like Christian music was only played on Christian stations. Maybe Hungary has it more figured out than we think...

One final difference has been driving. Everything is different and I'm clueless!! All the cars seem to be manual, the spedometer and speed limits are in kilometers, you can't turn right on red, speeding tickets come in the mail (radar cameras capture your tag number if you are speeding), signs don't mean the same thing, and words are in Hungarian! I feel like I am 16 again and learning to drive. Stalls aside, I am really proud to have learned to drive a stick shift!

Moving to a new country has been quite the experience. I am eager to see what it will be like to return to the U.S. Have I gotten used to the way things are in Hungary? How will it be to readjust to the U.S.? And, how much different will Colorado be than Kansas? Change is becoming normal for me.